27 June 2008
Our dogs LOVE to play. In fact, it is sometimes terribly irritating when they want to play and I want to sit. Just sit. But, on the 27th, I indulged them and we went into the yard and played. I kicked their little soccer ball about, and they chased it.
The one way up in the air is Cormac; he is amazingly agile. The other one, ‘Tia, is less agile, but just as fixated and just as beautiful. If you’ve never had a Border Collie for a friend, I highly recommend it.
Cheers.
~KR (Written on 30 June 2008 )

26 June 2008
I dread this day (not the date, but the day) every year. It’s the last night that I have my wife at home with me for many, many weeks. This night, we chose to go have Tex-Mex, since she was going to be without Tex-Mex for quite some time.
It’s only been a few days, but I miss her terribly already.
Cheers.

25 June 2008
Some while back, I was at a show with my wife and our friend, Anna. A vendor was selling "Salt Lamps" and claiming all sorts of things about the efficacy of the "Salt Lamp." Whether all those things are true or not, I can’t say. What I can say, is that I love the way it looks.
Cheers.

24 June 2008
Eyeball Bender time.
I took this photo while sitting in the Mission Bar & Grill in the San Francisco airport across from Gate 62. So, if you can get there, you’ll have a leg up on trying to figure out what it is.
Cheers.

~KR (Written on 30 June 2008)

Listening to:I’m In Love With a German Film Star by the Foo Fighters
from Best of You

Halfway there. With nearly 600 miles behind me, and about that many yet to go, I am at my brother’s house in Overland Park, Kansas (Kansas City area). I had pushed my departure date as far as I could, and I simply had to leave today. I got Kyle off to work, with a very difficult parting, and a long goodbye kiss. Then, I turned my attentions to the very last of my packing—some paperwork, a cooler full of drinks, a few more pairs of shoes . . . and I too, was off. On my way out of town, typically, I stop at my local Firestone store and have all my tires checked and aired up for safe highway travel. Today, it was determined I had two badly worn tires (the inside only—which is why it snuck up on me) an I chose to replace them. So, the cat and I, waited in the lobby of the Firestone, while the tires got changed, and my bank account got smaller.

We finally hit the highway at exactly one o’clock. Traffic was very heavy getting out of the DFW Fort Worth/Dallas area—construction, a bad wreck in Denton, summer, Friday, holiday week—I’m sure all these things were a factor. In fact, the wreck made us all sit still for a while. But, at about four-thirty I was sitting in a Cracker Barrel in northern Oklahoma City having a delightful dinner with my dear friend, Betty. She has been a part of my life for over twenty-five years—she is the mother of my first husband! Not every woman is lucky enough to have two wonderful mothers-in-law in their life! But, I certainly have lucked out twice! Divorce was awkward for a while, but when it became obvious that Roger and I had remained such close friends, it was only natural for us to be friends, too. And then, when Roger was killed, we bonded all over again. I try to see her when I am in her town, but it doesn’t always work out. Today, she was free, and the timing was perfect for a meal! Time spent with her is precious.

Fed and happy, I got back on the road just before six, and was here in KC by about 11:30 p.m. One quick stop at the local Wal-Mart for cat food and shampoo, and then I got to meet my brother’s new lady, Melanie. That has also been a delight, and I was hesitant to give up on the evening and go to bed, but finally, at nearly two a.m., we all said goodnight, knowing we’d enjoy each other again when we go out for breakfast in the morning. Now, I’m trying to do some KRuMB catch-up, and realising I hadn’t taken any photos today (other than a couple that didn’t turn out, as I was driving and couldn’t properly frame my attempt to shoot anything!), I shot a few of the cat.

New to the guest room on this trip, is this giant (and I mean giant—five foot long!) stuffed shaggy dog! It didn’t take Artemis very long to decide he was friendly, and made a good cat bed!

Thursday. I should already be gone, but I’m not. My last night in town . . . I wanted TexMex. We started to head toward Mexican Inn, but then I realized that it was nearly 8:30 p.m. already, and they close at nine. We hate that, by the way. If you’re reading this and you have any sway with the upper management at Mexican Inn—we think nine p.m. is a stupid-early hour to close a restaurant—especially one that makes good margaritas!

So, rather than feel rushed or self-conscious, I opted for Kyle to take us to our old haunt, Acapulco Cafe, instead. This is my (cheese) enchilada there.

Although my packing is mostly done—just a few personal items left to deal with in the morning—I’m still in denial. I hate leaving home.

Wednesday. In the midst of the packing frenzy today, I nearly stepped on the sleeping cat. She sometimes finds the strangest spots for napping.

My husband is home! Hopefully finished with the travelling for a while, he got home last night, and tonight, Marcus joined us for dinner at No Frills. I bribed him with a burger and beer, in exchange for his help loading my industrial machine. Once that big, heavy thing is loaded, the packing goes faster, and there’s no turning back!

Tuesday. The days are all starting to run together. Packing. Consumes. Me. I must type the word for the day of the week, in order to remember it.

I did have a doctor’s appointment today—all good. I have an official diagnosis and name for something I’ve been dealing with for twelve years: supraventricular tachycardia! Doesn’t that sound impressive? I was in a pretty good mood when I left The Heartplace (yes, that’s what it’s really called!), so I decided to treat myself to lunch. I considered driving through a fast food place on the way home, and then got a bold idea. I was really only blocks away from Mi Tierra—the new Latin Fusion restaurant owned by a friend. So, that’s where I went—all alone—and enjoyed their appetizer sampler plate as my lunch. Anyone who knows me will understand how much I must love this food in order for me to go into a restaurant by myself and sit there and eat alone! But, really . . . I’m not gonna get to eat there again until September!

Then, back at home, back at work. As I was working in the workshop, finishing up some final sewing, and . . . yes . . . packing, Artemis slept. Despite the new arrangement of the bedroom, she still managed to locate Kyle’s pillow and sleep on it. <sigh>

23 June 2008
North California is on fire! Take a look.
This is the view from the 46th floor of the Hilton in downtown San Francisco…that is not fog…that is smoke. Looking inland from near the bay, much of the city was obscured by smoke. In fact, the kind gentlemen with whom I was chatting in the bistro, said that his plane had been delayed due to all the smoke and the lack of visibility. Here’s hoping that they get it under control soon.
Cheers.

22 June 2008
After a long day at Ikea with MB, I had to get on yet another plane to go to yet another city. This time, only 38 hours or so after arriving home from the East Coast, I headed to the West Coast. San Francisco, in specific, the city of my birth. Another work trip, which resulted in another bed, with another pillow in another city.
Luckily the beds and pillows in Hiltons across the world are pretty comfortable.
Cheers.